Ms Claire McGlynn:

I want to comment on the spousal income issue. It would be more than important to increase their per-week income and then assess the rest at 50%. On the matter of the increase for a qualified adult on a farm assist claim, a spouse can only earn up to €310 per week, which is quite low in the context of the minimum wage, for example. It equates to just slightly more than 20 hours of work per week at minimum wage rates. It is crucial that spousal income limits are improved and the income disregards are increased.